While you were sleeping...

"Lain needs..."

You've probably seen this meme going around the blogisphere. Go to Google and type in " needs" and see what wacky answers you get back!

No one tagged me because I am such a loser, so I tagged myself:

*"Lain needs to recognize pathological grief, and confront destructive grief." That makes sense. I won't argue with that.

*"Lain needs some work still." Yeah.

*"Lain needs a vacation in Hawaii." Well, duu-uuh.

*"Lain needs to talk to someone." I have been regretting the lack of a group of women friends in my life, so I'd give this one a nod.

*"Lain needs to give us our stuff." I know, I know, I'm way behind on a ton of stuff!

*"Lain needs a hug." Always.

*"Lain needs a life." Apparently so.

No wonder I've got a bad mom rap!

Things that make you go "Hmmm..."

So apparently, I'm a reject.

Even though there are tens of thousands of babies in China longing for a family to hug and hold and love them, we don't qualify.

Why? Because my husband is an unheard-of 52 years old.

And I... well, I have a diagnosed panic disorder and have been on Lexapro for several years.

Guess that makes me an unfit mother.

I mean, really, we knew THAT already. But it had more to do with the popcorn for dinner than the antidepressants.

Where has the time gone?

I can’t believe it’s been a week since I’ve posted! What excuses can I offer?? Well, for one, my podcast. Make sure to check out the latest episode! Fun, prizes, and entertainment galore. ☺

It’s also baseball season, so I’ve been logging some time at the Little League fields. In fact, I’m typing this at 8:30 on Sunday morning, while Ben is at practice. Early Sunday morning practices should be illegal, in my opinion. We are 7 & 0 though, so maybe it’s working.

Other stuff… knitting

scrapbooking…

(Please excuse the parts of the layout that my scanner ate)

And helping my friend Jen with the first-ever Freedom From Self-Improvement Day! It’s a day designed to give you a break from beating yourself up. And we all can use one of those! Check it out, sign the Declaration of Independence, and stay tuned for more activities as May 15 nears.

The rest of life is the usual… sick kids, traveling husbands, and homework, homework, homework.

How ‘bout you?

Hear, hear!

Wanna hear my voice? Now you can, 'cause ScrapHappy has a podcast!

Check out my intro here. And make sure to subscribe, even if you've never scrapped in your life. I'll keep you entertained, I promise!

Happiness

Things to Be Happy About:

1. New sock yarn.

2. Finding the sunglasses you thought you'd lost.

3. Drizzly days when they decide to hold soccer camp anyway, so the moms don't have to figure out something else to do with their kids all morning.

4. Friends who offer to help with carpool because they know your husband is out of town.

5. Popcorn for dinner.

6. Sleeping in a pile with the kids like a bunch of puppies.

7. Making oatmeal/whole wheat butterscotch chip cookies and having them taste pretty darned good.

8.  Learning something new (toe-up socks ROCK! And Socks That Rock really do rock!)

9. Getting the kids new shoes and seeing that extra spring in their step and remembering exactly how it felt when I was their age.

10. A trip to the library.

Thank you, thank you!

I am the happy recipient of a Thinking Blogger award from Maria. She seems to think I have something to say! Thank you, darling friend.

Now I am to select five other blogs that make me think... and post the recipients here. They, in turn, will select five of their favorite blogs, and so on, and so on, just like the Prell commercial!

So, without further ado:

1. Amy of the Creative Mom Podcast. One of my favorite podcasts, hands-down.

2. Moki. Go for the photography. Stay for the thoughtful writing.

3. Jen. If anyone will make you think, it'll be this girl!

4. C.D. Scrapbooker of the year, indeed!

5. Stephanie. A heart as big as the world.

Of course I have a zillion more favorites, and if we had a category for the Knitting Blog Awards, I've got a few to nominate... like Robyn, Marly (who has an addictive podcast herself -- Yarn Thing!), Ragan, Kristie, Holly, and a few others... Can you tell I'm trying hard not to leave anyone out?

Gosh darnit, just take a look at my blog lists over there ---->. Let's just go ahead and give 'em all an award.

Easter help!

Okay, I need help!

I am responsible for an Easter craft for a third-grade class on Friday. And an activity (game of some sort?). Anyone got any ideas? It's a Christian school so religious themes are a-okay.

Thank you!

Happy Birthday, AngieLu!

For those in the scrappin' world, you probably have heard of the incomparable Angie Lucas, managing editor extraordinaire of Simple Scrapbooks Magazine (simply the best scrapbooking magazine under the sun). Not a scrapbooker? Then you're likely more interested in the lovely scarf that Angie is wearing... her bday present from moi.

The pattern came from the Stitch 'n' Bitch Calendar, and the yarn is Southwest Trading Co's Bamboo.

Angie is so awesome. Great editor (she makes every article she touches GOLDEN). Great person (so relaxed and funny!). Great wife and mom (just ask her hubby and stepson!). Great friend. I love hanging with her when I get the (unfortunately) rare chance. All this, and she can do the splits, too!

All Baseball, All the Time

In the spring, our family worships at the church of baseball.

I mean that with no disrespect, and with my tongue firmly in my cheek.

But in a sense, it's true. Baseball brings out the best (and sometimes the worst!) in people. For us, Little League season is truly a family affair.

John coaches.

Ben plays.

I keep score.

Kinsey (who used to play but now says NEVER AGAIN) works in the snack shack and wanders around taking random photos.

And Callie? She digs in the dirt and sand with a stick. LOVE IT.

Go Cubs.

More Knittin' and Purlin'

I've got little hats on the brain (no pun intended). Here are two more that I've completed this week. Yes, my daughter now resembles an Alaskan husky (see, your mom was right when she told you if you didn't stop making that face, it would stay that way!):

The first is "Ribbons" from Itty Bitty Hats by Susan B. Anderson, knit in Rowan All Seasons Cotton. The second is obviously "Bunny Ears" from the same book, in SUgar 'n' Creme, also from Itty Bitty Hats. "Ribbons" is a gift; the rabbit ears are ours to keep. I think I need a pair for Easter next week.

What have you been up to?